The Darkest Evening of the Year

De: Dean Koontz

Narrado por: Kirsten Kairos

With each of his #1 New York Times bestsellers, Dean Koontz has displayed an unparalleled ability to entertain and enlighten readers with novels that capture the essence of our times even as they bring us to the edge of our seats. Now he delivers a heart-gripping tour de force he’s been waiting years to write, at once a love story, a thrilling adventure, and a masterwork of suspense that redefines the boundaries of primal fear—and of enduring devotion.

Amy Redwing has dedicated her life to the southern California organization she founded to rescue abandoned and endangered golden retrievers. Among dog lovers, she’s a legend for the risks she’ll take to save an animal from abuse. Among her friends, Amy’s heedless devotion is often cause for concern. To widower Brian McCarthy, whose commitment she can’t allow herself to return, Amy’s behavior is far more puzzling and hides a shattering secret.

No one is surprised when Amy risks her life to save Nickie, nor when she takes the female golden into her home. The bond between Amy and Nickie is immediate and uncanny. Even her two other goldens, Fred and Ethel, recognize Nickie as special, a natural alpha. But the instant joy Nickie brings is shadowed by a series of eerie incidents. An ominous stranger. A mysterious home invasion.

And the unmistakable sense that someone is watching Amy’s every move and that, whoever it is, he’s not alone.

Someone has come back to turn Amy into the desperate, hunted creature she’s always been there to save. But now there’s no one to save Amy and those she loves. From its breathtaking opening scene to its shocking climax, The Darkest Evening of the Year is Dean Koontz at his finest, a transcendent thriller certain to have listeners entertained until dawn.©2007 Dean Koontz; (P)2007 Random House, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Silence of the Lambs meets Marley & Me."—People

"Compulsively readable...With a magician's expertise, Dean Koontz sets his multiple story lines spinning."—Boston Globe

[A] top-notch thriller...with unabashed emotion and wit...This is the perfect book for thriller addicts who know the darkest hour is just before the dawn, and for canine lovers."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Just barely into Koontz’s thriller, I understood why he’s a bookselling giant.”–Entertainment Weekly

Excellent - Fast Paced

Another great plot with many twists from Dean, and the almost spiritual obsession with dogs that I always find both intriguing and rewarding. Spellbinding from start to finish, you will want to get to the end as quick as you can so free up your schedule before you start!

A wild ride superbly performed

The story itself, in lesser hands so to speak, would have been just okay. It’s the performer who makes this just okay story into something more than it’s composition would be otherwise. The female antagonist is performed so supremely evilly that I wanted to jump into the narrative and kill her myself. And the children, especially the precious child, holy crow! Decades spent working with people with special needs has made my ears and my heart sensitive to their voice and this performer is the first I’ve heard who captured the innate love and dignity their voices project. I was moved to tears by this sensitive portrayal.

Yes, it takes some time for things to get moving and to be establish the characters and story arcs. Stick with it, it’s worth your time as the story moves forward.

The Birghtest, Fastest Book--We all need a Nikcie

Would you listen to The Darkest Evening of the Year again? Why?

Yes. It was never-ending intrigue and suspense and love for the characters. I didn't want to stop listening so that I could see that they made it ok. I would wait awhile to read it again, though, because it was intense.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Dean Koontz is materful in ending a chapter with a 'tease' so that you cannot wait for the next; then, the next chapter may be another set of characters and events in the story wiht another 'tease' or 'worry' at the endof the chapter. I couldn't wait until the next entry with each character or set of characters.

What does Kirsten Kairos bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She gave a real voice to Amy which made her even more loveable and intriguing. She read the narrative of each set of characters and the dialogue with just the right emotion. I wasn't sure about a female reader as I'm accustomed to the male readers. Kirsten was terrific.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely. You better have all your work done and food ready to eat because this is one audiobook that you can't stop until youget to the remarkable ending..

Any additional comments?

All of us need a wonderful dog like NIckie. thank you, Dean Koontz, for another set of characters and dogs who steal our hearts.

Heartwarming & entertaining

I loved the story. It is difficult to imagine such evil people could really exist; it is easy to imagine that there are such really good people as Amy, Brian, Hope & a few others in this book. And the doggies could be nothing but angels... Great ending!

Excellent Listen.

The reader does an excellent job conveying all the characters and voices. Action packed never a dull moment.